American children in Philadelphia Muslim Society Center 2019, singing about "jihad glories" including "chopping off heads"-see link to video below

Contrary to media and popular misuses, the word 'jihad' does not mean war. The word for war in Arabic-transliterated- is Ha-rb. Jihad is not the opposite of peace in translation, rather the antonym of jihad would be "surrender" or even "to be idle" because jihad is usually translated as "to struggle or to strive" although every translation from another language into English has bands of meaning. The Arabic word 'jihad' is translated into English as "struggle or striving for a praiseworthy aim" and is mentioned in the Koran/Quran as having two types-'offensive jihad' and 'defensive jihad'. Each of these categories have specific obligations if one is considered to be Muslim. Here is one of many sites which explains the duties of the two types of jihad-I urge you to read them: www.2600.com/news/mirrors/harkatmujahideen/www.harkatulmujahideen.org/jihad/t-jihad.htm

The struggle and striving for a worldwide caliphate-an 'idealistic' ideology that has only one religion as sanctioned, and that is Islam,-is a continuing jihad for Muslims. Let this sink in if you haven't already been educated or known this stated aim.

The strategies and tactics utilized and condoned by the Koran/Quran include: persuasion which may employ speech, proselytizing, religious education, economic/financial leverage and violence. In the Quran/Koran there are "legitimate" uses of violence in the service of "holy war" which only has a few parameters of what constitutes "harm" to women and children. Rape, beating and restraining (imprisonment) evidently do not constitute "harm" since they are 'permitted' against non-believers, infidels, kaffirs, in the Koran/Quran. The terrorist acts committed in the name of Islam and Allah Akhbar (God is great) are not simply for disruption and shock, they are part of a cumulative agenda. Theirs is a cohesive idealistic, passionate and religiously founded motivation which openly professes to all who will actually see and listen, their endeavors and their goals. They are taught any actions taken are righteous if written as 'permitted' or encouraged in the Koran/Quran. Muslims believe the words in the Quran/Koran are directly from Allah (God). "The commandment of jihad, which is of supreme importance at all times, assumes even greater importance during this holy month and gains precedence over all other commandments… On Ramadan, Allah grants fighters special strength, despite – or rather by virtue of – their fasting. Those who gain martyrdom during the month of Ramadan are doubly rewarded in Paradise." www.breitbart.com/national-security/2019/05/04/jihad-best-part-worship-taliban-islamic-state-gear-up-ramadan/

There are some who mistake 'idealism' and 'passion' to be aligned with other religions' aims of compassion, acceptance, commitment to improve the lives of all people, alleviating suffering and turning the other cheek in an encounter with violence. This is not "idealism" in terms of Islam and most certainly not once the 'mission of jihad' is undertaken.

According to retired General Mohsen Hefzy, a former Egyptian national security official, children and teenagers are identified and recruited through a two-step process called "Jihadist Discipline." In the first stage, children are brainwashed and convinced to fight the enemies of God. They then are trained to use explosives and emotionally prepared to execute suicide bombings.Step two is called "Sharia' Legitimizing" and includes labeling security officers (even if they are Muslim) as "heretics and infidels" to cast killing them as justified and a path to heaven. The process is well established among jihadists across the world." This was the case in the recent terrorist attack in the Sinai., April 9, 2019. "Seven people were killed, including four police officers and a 6-year-old boy. The terrorist was a 15-year-old boy who targeted a busy marketplace. ISIS affiliate Ansar Beit Al Maqdes took credit for the attack. The Muslim Brotherhood offshoot-Hamas-is notorious for using children in its demonstrations and operations."www.investigativeproject.org/7898/terrorists-continue-exploiting-children-for

Uyghur children from China being trained in al Qaeda's Madrasa in Syria 2017

Don't be lulled into thinking the conversion, radicalization programs infiltrating education and using children and teenagers, only take place in the Middle East, Central Asia, South East Asis or in countries in Africa. North America, especially the United States of America, has a growing program of caliphate 'promotion' infiltrating all layers of society including on campuses, schools and after school and/or religious education clubs. Be sure to watch this video and read the links in the paragraph outlining some elements of the Chris Bledsoe case below. There are many more if you do your due diligence and research the "creep of Sharia law" and "training camps" in America.

“We believe in an eye for an eye, not turn the other cheek. Now it’s an all-out war on America, and I’m on the other side. The side of the Muslims, Yes! The side of Al Qaeda, Yes! Taliban, Yes! Al-Shabab, Yes! We are all brothers under the same banner. Fighting for the same cause, which is to rid the Islamic world of Infidel and Apostate Hypocrite Regimes and Crusader Invaders, and reestablish the Caliphate, the Islamic Empire and Islamic Law. I’m not Carlos. I’m Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad—a new man, changed man, ” Tennessee native Chris Bledsoe, who converted to Islam in Tennessee, USA, and carried out his "Mission of jihad in America" by shooting two young Army recruiters in cold blood. "Thousands of Westerners and hundreds of Americans have in recent years followed Bledsoe’s journey of jihad to the Middle East, where increasingly they are being lured by the Islamic State’s promise of glory and martyrdom on behalf of a new caliphate. The Islamic State has adopted the message that “lone wolf” terrorists in the United States should focus on launching local attacks..."www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/07/chattanooga-shooter-carlos-bledsoe-120530_full.html

On April 22, 2019 "Ummah Day", the Muslim American Society Islamic Center in Philadelphia (MAS Philly) uploaded a video of an "Ummah Day" celebration to its Facebook page in which young children wearing Palestinian scarves sang: "Glorious steeds call us and lead us [to] the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The blood of martyrs protects us… Take us, oh ships… until we reach our shores and crush the treacherous ones… Flow, oh rivers of martyrs!" A young girl read a poem praising martyrs and others sang about "chopping off heads": This is the video with American children performing in Pennsylvania, USA: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHXCmEWxMY4

At least 3,000 UK children are sent to Jihadi type training camps/madrassas in Pakistan each year according to reports by the British 'Home Office' 2019

If there was no will for the use of children as "jihadists" and no complicity by parents, teachers, imams, military members and politicians in pursuing the "idealism" of martyrdom and jihad; if there is/was tremendous outcry, media spotlight and focused, pervasive condemnation by all media, all religious leaders and responsible educators and politicians of any acts of terror and genocide; if there is vigilance in surveillance, accurate naming of who sponsors and condones or even applauds terror attacks-most especially those using and targeting places where children will be-perhaps the appeal of "jihad" and "terror" would be lessened. Perhaps there would be many fewer children and teenagers recruited, brainwashed and harmed. Perhaps there could develop the beginning of a bridge of cooperation to stamp out these "ideals" and the glamorization of violence; whether used by Islamists or real Nazis and Neo Nazis, and criminal networks/cartels.​ See my two part articles linked here for more details on how children are/have been "weaponized".smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/jihadi-generations-strategies-used-weaponizing-children-part-1smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/jihadi-generations-strategies-used-weaponizing-children-part-2

It is worth a try to begin sincere efforts in this direction. If we don't, our children and our grandchildren will be the ones to suffer most. Make it a priority to know what is in your children's, your young family members curriculum at school, what they are reading (online and off), who their friends and influencers are, and if they have changed and why. Provide them with healthy examples of ways to question, of discipline, of noble mentors, for strengthening themselves, and learning peaceful ways to negotiate. During those trying teenage years, find places to go together where they feel they can 'belong'. At least this is a start to counter vulnerabilities the predatory recruiters for criminal gangs and jihad search for...and exploit.

​Closing this week with a song from a simpler time, with simpler instruments and lyrics. "Teach Your Children/Parents Well" by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young - hope you enjoy this one: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vnYKRacKQc